July 19/09 12:12 pm - Tour de France: Stage 15

Posted by Editoress on 07/19/09

Today's 15th stage of the Tour de France, the first in the Alps, saw Canada's only rider in this year's Tour, Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Slipstream), play a key role in the main breakaway of the day. Hesjedal was in the break with notables such as Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank). The group managed to gain over four minutes on the Astana-led peloton before they were reeled in on the final nine kilometre climb to the Swiss ski resort of Verbier. Hesjedal finished 44th on the stage, and has moved up to 57th overall.

Once the break was caught, the fireworks began, with Saxo Bank setting a high tempo to thin the lead group and position their top rider Andy Schleck. This brought the frontrunners out, with both Schleck brothers, the Astana trio of Alberto Contador, Lance Armstrong and Andreas Kloden, plus Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) moving to the front of the race. Contador proved that he is the best climber in the world, by exploding off the front to win the stage and take the Yellow Jersey. Andy Schleck couldn't match Contador's explosive power, but did take second in the stage, followed by Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas), Wiggins and Frank Schleck. Armstong was paced to the finish by Kloden to finish ninth and moves into second on GC, 1:37 behind Contador, with Wiggins at 1:46.